What is the Lymphatic System?
Your lymphatic system is your immune system and your drainage system. It’s part of your circulatory system and has important tasks in the body.
- It moves fluid from body tissues into blood circulation
- It contains immune cells which respond to infection and invasion
- It removes cellular waste from your tissues (dead cells, metabolic wastes)
Consequences of Lymphatic Malfunction
When the lymphatic system isn’t functioning correctly, fluid builds up in the body, making us swell or get sick easily. Lymph backup can look different depending on where the blockage is:
- Upper body: allergies, headaches, brain fog, aching muscles
- Lower body: swollen, painful feet; cramps, cellulite
- Systemic: mysterious weight gain and sensitivities
Why Does This Happen?
The most common reasons why we might see a buildup of lymph fluid (swelling, heaviness in the joints)
- Trauma (surgery, illness, injury, emotional stress)
- Tight muscles (if your muscles are tight in the area of lymph drainage, they’re preventing fluid from exiting in the usual ways)
- Congenital (if people in your family retain lymph, there’s a good chance you will, too)
- Diet and Lifestyle (certain foods or drinks may create a fluid retention response in some people. Sedentary lifestyle may also create lymph buildup)
What Can Be Done?
The great news is that if you are swollen due to lymphatic build up for any reason, there are steps you can take to deflate! At The Better Place, we have been working with the lymphatic system since 2013, and would love to help you put together a plan of home care and in-clinic treatments to return you to a pre-swelling state.